With the mid-range designer bag market booming, there are now plenty of brands vying for our attention when it comes to pieces that tick both the style and accessibility boxes – but few manage to offer everyday practicality to boot.
Of course, statement evening bags and precious intricate designs are welcome in any wardrobe, but far too often we find ourselves lugging a canvas tote alongside our shoulder bag to accommodate a pair of commuter trainers, a water bottle or laptop (in the case of all three, may we suggest a massage)?
Coach's Brooklyn – which was released this summer – is one that happily ticks all the boxes: it's sleek enough for office days, sized to fit every last essential, and comes in at under £500 – even for the larger size. The brand banked big on the tote, and it paid off – the style has just been named in Lyst's quarterly round-up of the most popular products of the season (which analyses the data and behaviour of over 200 million shoppers).
Sitting alongside Alaïa's cult Mary-Janes and Miu Miu's Arcadie bag, the Coach Brooklyn saw searches for suede spiked 263 per cent after Hadid wore it, while suede bag searches increased 175 per cent.
In an age of more-is-more detailing and overt logomania, the Brooklyn is notable for its lack of look-at-me design details: it's simply a beautifully thought-out, classic shoulder bag designed for busy days – yet still manages to look polished, whatever you choose to wear it with.
Of course, it is always a good sign when an A-lister is the earliest adopter of a new design, and Coach really lucked out this summer when Bella Hadid was seen carrying her two Brooklyns on a number of occasions. The model has teamed her XXL black leather iteration with a host of bohemian-leaning looks, from a white tie-front crop top and capri pants to embellished leather bootcut trousers. She's also been spotted with the suede version, the perfect accompaniment to her cowboy boots and Daisy Dukes. After all, when your accessories are sensibly subdued, you can afford to make a statement elsewhere.
